y, civil part of the
church; that men should walk up to the principles of their belief, and
not be wanting in care and charity. But though some have stumbled and
fallen through mistakes, and an unreasonable obstinacy even to a
prejudice; yet, blessed be God, the generality have returned to their
first love, and seen the work of the enemy, that loses no opportunity or
advantage by which he may check or hinder the work of God, and disquiet
the peace of his church, and chill the love of his people to the truth,
and one to another; and there is hope of divers of the few that yet are
at a distance.

In all these occasions, though there was no person the discontented
struck so sharply at, as this good man, he bore all their weakness and
prejudice, and returned not reflection for reflection; but forgave them
their weak and bitter speeches, praying for them, that they might have a
sense of their hurt, and see the subtilty of the enemy to rend and
divide, and return into their first love that thought no ill.

And truly, I must say, that though God had visibly clothed him with a
divine preference and authority, yet he never abused it; but held his
place in the church of God with great meekness, and a most engaging
humility and moderation. For upon all occasions, like his blessed
Master, he was a servant to all; holding and exercising his eldership in
the invisible power that had gathered them, with reverence to the Head,
and care over the body: and was received, only in that Spirit and power
of Christ, as the first and chief elder in this age: who, as he was
therefore worthy of double honour, so for the same reason it was given by
the faithful of this day; because his authority was inward and not
outward, and that he got it and kept it by the love of God, and power of
an endless life. I write my knowledge, and not report; and my witness is
true; having been with him for weeks and months together on divers
occasions, and those of the nearest, and most exercising nature; and that
by night and by day, by sea and by land; in this and in foreign
countries; and I can say, I never saw him out of his place, or not a
match for every service or occasion. For in all things he acquitted
himself like a man, yea, a strong man, a new and heavenly-minded man, a
divine and a naturalist, and all of God Almighty's making. I have been
surprised at his questions and answers in natural things: that whilst he
was ignorant of useless and sophistic